UNFPA welcomes expansion of PhilHealth maternity benefits

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency welcomed yesterday the expansion of maternity benefits under Philippine Health Insurance Corp., saying it is a critical step to reducing maternal deaths.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines said the expansion of maternity benefits, announced by President Marcos and set to take effect April 30, is a major step toward improving access to affordable and quality maternal health care nationwide, especially as financial barriers continue to prevent many women from seeking timely care.

The policy applies across both public and private health facilities, ensuring equal coverage regardless of where a woman gives birth. It is expected to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and, in some cases, eliminate them entirely.

UNFPA, with Health Systems Insight and the Asian Development Bank, supported PhilHealth in the restructuring of the Maternal Care Package. This included expert consultations, facility costing, provider mapping, as well as studies on the full cost of maternal care to ensure benefit packages reflect real service delivery costs.

The UN agency said the expansion of the benefit package aligns with global and Department of Health (DOH) standards for eight prenatal visits and four postnatal visits, and postpartum counseling for family planning.

UNFPA Country Representative Neus Bernabeu said it is a critical step toward saving mothers’ lives.

“The expansion of benefits signals the Philippines’ strong commitment to meeting the global SDG target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births,” Bernabeu said in a statement.

“For many mothers, the cost of pregnancy can be a major concern – from laboratory tests and prenatal check-ups to the expenses of childbirth and postnatal care. Expanding these benefits helps ease that burden and supports women in accessing the care they need throughout pregnancy and beyond,” she added.

UNFPA said it will continue to work with the Philippine government, health care providers, and civil society organizations to ensure that the expanded benefit package translates into improved access and quality of maternal care, critical to reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring that no woman is left behind, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities.